The second and final day of weanlings at the Inglis Great Southern Sale on Monday saw a son of Pierro (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) top proceedings when selling to the same purchasers of the opening day's top lot, Ascot Farm and Ampulla Lodge. The colt, offered by Erinvale Thoroughbreds as lot 792 was knocked down for A$210,000 and is a half-brother to two stakes winning fillies in Born To Rock (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Prettyhappyaboutit (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}). Solid trade over the two days saw 314 weanlings sell with 13 lots bringing at least A$100,000 compared to four lots last year. The average price of the 222 weanlings sold in the Platinum Session finished at A$31,140, up 37% on last year's figure of A$23,392.
“There is no doubt that this is the best collection of weanlings ever offered for sale in Victoria,” said Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian. “We have been privileged to catalogue a fantastic draft of youngsters and this led to unprecedented interest from buyers. The old line of 'if you build it, they will come' was evident from inspections early in the week.” Vivian continued, “This Great Southern Weanling Sale was built on quality individuals with good pedigrees being professionally presented by our vendors. The buyers came and were obviously pleased with the product on offer.”
The sale topper was one of three colts purchased over the two days by the Ampulla Lodge/Ascot Farm partnership and Ascot's Bruce Harvey said, “He was the one [lot 792] I wanted. We've had success buying off John [Kenneally] in the past, turning a Flying Spur colt from A$240,000 into A$850,000, and both us and Ampulla are big fans of Pierro. We both bid on Pierro himself as a weanling, we've tried hard on his progeny at the weanling sales this year and I'm rapt to secure this colt. Last year we identified opportunities at the top end of the market and our aim has been to buy mature colts high on pedigree ratings, and this colt completely fitted the brief.”
Demand for weanlings by first-season sires continued into the second day with a colt by G1 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) selling for A$160,000 to Prima Park/Waterford Bloodstock. The colt, lot 252, consigned by Stonehouse Thoroughbreds, is out of stakes performer Fiammarosa (Aus) (Danehill), herself the dam of a stakes performer in Parachute Man (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}). The final lot of the Platinum Session also created plenty of buzz in the sale ring, with Two Bays Farm-consigned lot 794, a colt by Epaulette (Aus) (Commmands {Aus}), went for A$140,000 to Paul Willetts.
The top price achieved for a filly was for lot 288, a daughter of Hinchinbrook (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) offered by Shadwell Farm and purchased by Inglis, as agent for A$125,000.
First season stallion Unencumbered (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}) is also making a good impression, with one of his sons, lot 159, selling for A$87,500 to Wattle Grove Thoroughbreds. The stalllion stands at Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, whose Toby Liston commented, “It's always great when the market believes in your stallion, so it's fair to say that we went to bed last night very pleased with the response from all buyers from all corners of Australia. He is leaving correct, sound and tough looking horses, just like Unencumbered himself, so there are some exciting times ahead.”
Day Three of the sale starts at 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, when a selection of Broodmares, Stallions and Stallion Shares are on offer.
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